Lowe’s Finds Top Smart-Home Feature is Enhanced Security

The Nest thermostat is among a growing number of devices that can be controlled remotely with a wi-fi connection, but it is home security rather than energy conservation that many homeowners are most concerned about, a survey by Lowe's has found.

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Homeowners now have access to a growing number of products that can be controlled remotely with an internet connection–light bulbs, thermostats, and security cameras, for example–but the two features ranked at the top of the list by homeowners are both related to making their homes safer or more secure.

In a survey conducted by Lowe’s, the home improvement retailer, and reported by Greentech Media, 50% of respondents said improving home security was the top benefit of a smart-home connection and 46% said monitoring activity at home was at the top of the list.

Less than half, 40%, said cutting costs and lowering energy bills was the most important feature, while 35% opted for more convenience, and 29% said better protection from fires and floods was key, Greentech Media said. Then there was the 19% who thought the most important benefit was making them feel more tech savvy.

Even though home security is at the top of the priority list, smart-home vendors find homeowners can be coaxed into exploring energy-conserving features once they’ve introduced to smart-home technology, according to an earlier Greentech Media report.

Cost and convenience also are important

Not surprisingly, the cost of the new technology is often a key deciding factor among those weighing wether to buy in. More than half, 56%, said either the cost of the system or fees charged to use it was the most important consideration. Half of those surveyed said they wanted to be able to install the system components themsleves and use it without paying a monthly fee; only 21% said they would prefer professional installation plus monitoring for a monthly fee.

Some of the other findings in the Greentech Media report:

70% of Americans who own a smartphone or a tablet would like to be able to control something in their home with a mobile device without getting out of bed.